Orchard Valley Brides (7 page)

“My goodness.” The words escaped on a whisper of awe.

Rowdy wasn't wearing a hospital gown, but had dressed in a black Western shirt with string tie and a pair of jeans slit along one side to accommodate his cast. The effort he'd made touched her deeply.

“I hope you're hungry,” he said, with a boyishly pleased grin.

“I'm starved,” she told him, walking over to the bed. The room seemed so private, so cozy. “What's on the menu?”

“You can examine our meal for yourself. It only got here a minute ago.”

Norah lifted the domed lid over the two plates and found crab-and-shrimp-stuffed sole, a wild rice pilaf and fresh broccoli with thin slivers of carrot. Two huge slices of strawberry-covered cheesecake rested next to the wineglasses.

“I had the chef check out the cholesterol, if you're interested. Plus the carb, sodium and calorie counts.”

“Oh, Rowdy.”

“Somehow I knew you'd swoon for cheesecake.”

Norah laughed, because it was true, and because she was almost giddy with excitement—and happiness.

“Now pick up the gift that's on the edge of the table and open it.”

Norah saw the small, brightly wrapped box and carried it to his bedside. She raised questioning eyes to his. “What's this?”

“You'll have to open it and see.”

Norah frowned. “I didn't do anything to deserve this.” She was only one of the medical professionals who'd assisted Rowdy in his recovery.

“Quit arguing with me and open it,” Rowdy said. She finally nodded and carefully tore away the paper, uncovering a velvet box with the name of an expensive Portland jeweler etched in a gold flourish across the top.

She glanced at him again, still puzzled.

“Open it,” he said again. “I picked it out myself.”

Hardly daring to breathe, Norah lifted the lid and discovered a sapphire-and-diamond necklace, exquisite in its simplicity. She released her breath on a soft sigh of appreciation. “Oh, Rowdy…I've never seen anything so lovely.”

“Then you like it?”

“Yes, but I could never accept it….”

“Nonsense. Turn around—I want to see it on you.” Before she could protest further, he removed the necklace from its plush bed and opened the clasp. He held it with both hands, prepared to place it around her neck.

Norah pivoted slowly and pressed her hand to the necklace when he positioned it against her throat. She'd never been given anything so valuable or so beautiful.

“This is my way of thanking you for everything you did for me, Norah.”

“But I—”

“You were my saving grace,” he cut in, obviously impatient with her objections. “Arguing with you was the one thing that got me through those early days. You were generous and unselfish, even though I behaved like a spoiled brat. I'm grateful, and I want to express my gratitude.”

“Well, then, I accept. And…and I thank you very much.” Norah felt tears gather in the corners of her eyes. “Shall we open the wine?” she asked briskly, not wanting Rowdy to know how deeply his generosity had affected her. She lifted the wine bottle from its icy bucket and hesitated. “Are you sure you can combine alcohol with your medication?”

“I have Dr. Silverman's permission. If you don't believe me, you can call him yourself. He left his number with me in case you had any concerns.”

Rowdy had thought of everything. Grinning, Norah handed him the bottle and corkscrew and watched as he deftly opened the Chablis. Norah brought over their glasses; he sampled the wine, then filled both goblets.

“We'd better eat before the fish gets cold,” he said. Norah returned to the dinner table for his plate. His own place setting was neatly arranged on top of the nightstand.

“Next time we have dinner together, I'll be sitting across the table from you,” he promised.

Norah sat down and spread the crisp linen napkin across her lap. In all her years of hospital work, she'd never seen anything like this. Of course, she'd never known anyone like Rowdy Cassidy, either.

“This is fabulous,” Norah said after the first bite. She closed her eyes and savored the wonderful blend of seafood, sole and lightly seasoned sauce.

“Save room for dessert.”

Norah eyed the huge fresh strawberries on the cheesecake. “No problem there.” She felt a bit silly sitting at the table alone and after her second bite, got to her feet and carried her plate to the nightstand. “It'll do me good to stand up and eat,” she told him. “I'll have more room for the cheesecake that way.”

Rowdy grinned. The room was growing dark as the sun set, a warm, intimate darkness, and the candle flames seemed to dance to the soft music.

It took Norah an instant to realize they'd both stopped eating. Slowly, his eyes holding hers, Rowdy pushed the nightstand away so there was nothing between them. His hands on her waist, he guided her to the bed.

“Sit next to me,” he whispered.

She glanced at his leg, needing to gauge the effect her weight would have on the pulleys.

“I'll be fine.”

Norah sat carefully on the edge of the bed. Her gaze was level with Rowdy's.

“No wonder I thought you were an angel,” he whispered. The husky pitch of his voice thrilled her. “You're so beautiful….”

No man had evoked such emotions in her before. She didn't
want
to feel any of these things, not with a man like Rowdy, but she couldn't stop herself.

He took her face between his hands and rubbed the side of his thumb across her moist mouth. She sensed a
barely restrained urgency in him, and still he didn't kiss her. Excitement raced through her veins.

“Rowdy.” His name became a whispered plea.

She didn't completely understand what she wanted from him; he seemed to understand it better than she did herself. He reached for her and drew her unceremoniously into his arms. His mouth claimed hers, and whatever defenses she'd erected against him in the past two weeks, whatever doubts she'd harbored, were banished under the onslaught of his kiss.

Just when Norah thought she might faint with the exhilaration of his touch, Rowdy trailed his mouth across her cheek to the hollow of her throat. She sighed and sagged against him, weak and without will.

“I've wanted to do that from the first time I saw you,” he whispered huskily. “When you stood there in that long pink dress—like an angel.” He groaned and shook his head. “I've tried to be patient, tried to wait until I was out of this cast, but I couldn't. Not another moment.”

Norah buried her hands in his thick, dark hair and placed eager kisses on his face. She'd wanted him, too. Badly. So badly that she'd been afraid to admit it, even to herself.

He kissed her again, a deeper kiss this time. “I was sure I'd go crazy these past few weeks,” he murmured. “I've thought about nothing except holding you again, kissing you again. You've been so close—and yet so far away from me.”

Norah felt warm and weightless in his arms. He kissed her with even greater insistence, and it seemed that she'd never experienced anything this good in her entire life. Shivers of excitement danced over her skin and she gave a deep, deep sigh.

“Come to Texas with me.” The words were low and urgent. He held her tightly against him.

It took a moment for the words to sink past the fog of longing that blurred her thoughts. “Come to Texas with you?” she repeated. Slowly she eased herself from his embrace, her eyes seeking his. Her heart went wild with expectant hope.

“As my personal nurse.”

Norah wondered if she'd heard him correctly. His
nurse.
He wanted her as his nurse. For one soaring moment she'd assumed, she'd hoped, that he wanted her for herself. For always. She'd dreamed he wanted her to— A blush warmed her cheeks as she realized how wrong she'd been. He'd told her before that he wasn't interested in marriage or family life. If he hadn't been willing to marry Valerie, whom he loved, then he certainly wasn't interested in her. CHIPS was his life, his reason for being. She'd witnessed it herself, the way all his energy, all his emotion, was dedicated to the success of his company.

“I'm going to need someone to look after me,” he continued, reaching for her fingers and squeezing lightly, “to make sure I don't do more than I should. Someone who'll bully me into taking care of myself. Will you fly back with me, Norah?” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “I need you.”

How she'd longed to hear those words from Rowdy, but she'd wanted them to mean something very different.

Norah didn't need more than a second to decide. “I can't leave Orchard Valley.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why not?”

“It's my home. I've lived here all my life. My father's
here, my job is here, my family. Everything that's important to me is here.”

“You'll be back in a little while. I shouldn't need you for more than…say, a couple of months.”

Norah backed away from him but her feet seemed to be weighted down with cement. The little she'd eaten of her dinner rested like a concrete block in the pit of her stomach. Rowdy had arranged everything that evening in an effort to convince her to leave with him. As his nurse. Nothing more.

An overwhelming weariness came over her.

“Reconsider,” he pleaded. “I promise you it won't be for long.”

Norah shook her head. As far as she was concerned there wasn't anything to reconsider.

His mouth tightened with unconcealed irritation. “I'll make it worth your while. I'll triple whatever the hospital's paying you now.”

She didn't doubt it. But financial concerns weren't what held her back. “I'm…pleased that you'd ask me, but it wouldn't work, Rowdy.”

“Why not?” he demanded. “I'm going to need someone and I want
you
.”

“But I'm not for sale.”

“I didn't mean it like that,” he flared, running his hand roughly through his hair. Norah could sense the frustration in him. It might have been petty of her, but she felt a fleeting satisfaction. She wanted him to taste her own disappointment.

“I don't know what it is with you Bloomfield women,” he grumbled, pushing the nightstand back into place. “There's no pleasing you, is there?” He lowered his voice.
“I never met a pair of more headstrong women in my life.”

“You'll do just fine without me.” She was slowly recovering from the influence of his touch. Valerie was right; Rowdy Cassidy knew how to stack a deck in his favor. Knowing she was attracted to him, he'd attempted to sway her decision with wine and a luscious meal—and kisses.

Rowdy sliced his cheesecake with enough force to crack the plate. “Uncooperative woman,” he burst out.

Norah couldn't help laughing, despite the dull ache in her heart. “If you want, I'll recommend a reputable agency that provides nurses for private care.”

“I don't want anyone but you.” He stabbed a strawberry and poised it in front of his mouth. “You still haven't forgiven me for being honest, have you?”

“About what?”

“My feelings toward Valerie. I knew when I told you I'd regret it, and I was right.”

“This doesn't have anything to do with my sister.”

“Then why won't you fly back to Texas with me? I've got a private jet coming in. You won't lack for luxury, Norah, and if you're worried about propriety, I'll have Ms. Emerich move in with us.”

“That isn't it.”

“I should've guessed you'd be this stubborn. It runs in the family, doesn't it?”

“It most certainly does.”

Rowdy leaned over and flipped a switch that turned off the music. “I didn't think this…dinner would work. Ms. Emerich was the one who suggested it.”

Norah walked across the room and opened the blinds. “The evening's too lovely to shut out.”

Rowdy folded his arms and said something she couldn't hear.

There was a polite knock at the door.

“Come in,” Rowdy barked.

The door slowly opened and Valerie Bloomfield Winston stepped inside.

“I
'm not interrupting anything, am I?” Valerie asked. She remained on the threshold, oddly hesitant and unsure.

“Of course you're not.” Despite her embarrassment, Norah managed to speak first. She felt like a five-year-old caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Rowdy merely closed his eyes—in resignation, Norah supposed, at the prospect of facing another Bloomfield. “You might as well come in,” he said ungraciously.

“If you'd rather I stopped by another time…” Valerie suggested, glancing at them doubtfully. “It wouldn't be any problem.” Her gaze met Norah's, who was convinced her cheeks had flamed a fiery red.

“Don't worry,” Rowdy muttered, “you weren't interrupting a thing.”

“Rowdy asked me to accompany him back to Texas…as his nurse,” Norah explained, her tongue stumbling over the words. She gestured weakly toward the elaborately set table and silver wine bucket.

“Ah…” Her sister was smart enough to figure out what had happened.

“Have you decided to take the job?” Valerie asked, looking at Norah.

“No,” Norah said emphatically.

Rowdy frowned—again. “I should've known she'd be as stubborn as you. Norah doesn't want the job, even at ten times what she earns here.”

“I should leave,” Norah said, picking up her purse. “I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about.”

“Don't go,” Valerie countered smoothly. “The fact is, I'd rather you stayed.” She pulled the wine bottle from the silver bucket and read the label. Apparently she was impressed, because her eyebrows arched. “I see you didn't spare any expense.”

“Are you here to gloat or do you want to talk?” Rowdy asked irritably.

“He gets feisty,” Valerie warned Norah under her breath, “when he can't have his own way.”

“Quit talking about me as if I wasn't here,” Rowdy snapped. He used the triangular bar to straighten himself and shift positions. “You and I need to clear the air, Valerie Bloomfield.”

“I suspect we do,” Valerie agreed. “And the name's Winston now.”

Norah wanted to leave, but she felt rooted to the spot. Her eyes strayed from Valerie to Rowdy, wondering how much of his feelings he'd reveal to her sister. He'd loved her enough to fly to Orchard Valley, but even now she wasn't sure what his intentions had been.

“Despite everything I told you, you went ahead and married Carlton, anyway,” he said in a low voice.

“Colby,” Valerie and Norah corrected simultaneously.

“Whoever,” Rowdy returned irritably. “You married him!” In response, Valerie raised her left hand and wiggled her ring finger.

“You can kiss your career goodbye, but you already know that, don't you?” Rowdy said. “I've seen it happen a thousand times, brilliant careers flushed down the drain and all in the name of love. As far as I'm concerned, it's a bunch of hogwash.”

Valerie didn't say anything for a long moment. “At one time, working for you and CHIPS was the most important thing in my life.”

“See?” Rowdy shouted, turning to Norah and pointing at Valerie, “it's happening already! And she's only been married, what? Two weeks.”

“Three,” Valerie inserted.

“Three weeks and already her mind is warped.”

Valerie laughed, and Norah found her amusement somehow reassuring. “Love tends to do that to a person.”

“Then heaven help us all.” Rowdy crossed his arms over his chest and gazed steadfastly out the window. “You were one of the best,” he finally said, still not looking directly at the two women. “It's a shame to lose you.”

“As I recall, you didn't leave me much choice. You wouldn't give me the job I wanted, and you knew I wouldn't stay in Texas.”

He winced and Norah saw a flash of regret in his eyes, a reappearance of the pain she'd noticed whenever Valerie's name was mentioned. Norah experienced a pang of her own, knowing that the man she'd begun to love cared so deeply for her sister.

“I…may have acted a bit hastily,” Rowdy said with a contriteness he didn't bother to conceal. “Robbins is a good man, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't have the gut instincts you do when it comes to making a go of this expansion project. He took the assignment because I asked him to, but truth be known, you were always the person for the job. Not Robbins.”

Valerie paced the room in silence; Norah almost demanded her sister say something to ease the tension. Val had told her only a little of the confrontation between her and Rowdy, but she knew an apology when she heard one. Valerie's former employer was trying to mend fences.

“What are you saying, Rowdy? That you want me back with CHIPS for the expansion project?”

“That's exactly what I'm saying.”

“I'll never be the businesswoman I was, as you've pointed out. Marriage has ruined me, you know.”

Rowdy's face relaxed with the beginnings of a smile. “There might be some hope for you yet. Once you're with CHIPS again, we'll work on your attitude. Of course it'll take time, training and patience, but Robbins and I should be able to whip you into shape.”

Valerie didn't say anything. Norah stared at her sister, willing her to answer Rowdy. Willing her to recognize what it had cost his pride to make that offer. If Valerie didn't appreciate how difficult it was for him to admit he'd been wrong, then Norah did. Surely Val understood what he was really saying!

“I'm flattered.”

For a moment Rowdy didn't react, then he slammed one hand against the other and swore under his breath.
“You're going to turn me down, aren't you? I know that obstinate look of yours. Apparently it runs in the family.” He was glaring at Norah as he spoke.

“I'm not committing myself either way just yet. The project will consume every waking minute for months, and I'm not sure that's what I want,” Valerie told him honestly.

“You were ready to take it on before,” Rowdy argued. “What's so different?”

“I'm married. I have responsibilities to someone other than myself. I didn't fully understand what that entailed when I first talked to you, but I know now, and I'm not going to let CHIPS control my life. Not anymore.”

“So what do you intend to do? Stay barefoot and pregnant the rest of your life?”

“Rowdy!” Norah chastised, offended that he'd talk to her sister that way. He ignored her, frowning combatively at Valerie.

“Colby and I do eventually want children, but I was toying with the idea of starting my own business.”

“Software?” His dark eyes became sharp as steel. It went without saying that Valerie could be keen competition if she chose to be.

“No,” she said with amusement. “Consulting. I'll help companies determine what they need—systems, software, whatever. I'll set my own hours, and I'll train others, so once the business expands—or I do—it won't be unmanageable.” She grinned at Rowdy. “I'll be able to combine work and a family in whatever way suits me best.”

He nodded. “It makes sense.”

Valerie smiled cheerfully. “That wasn't so hard to admit, now was it?”

“No,” he agreed. His eyes softened as he studied Valerie. He seemed to have forgotten Norah was in the room. “I was a fool to ever let you leave Texas. We might've had something good between us. Something really good.”

Valerie's gaze met his, and in it Norah read so many things. Her sister greatly admired Rowdy Cassidy, but the respect she held for him could never compare to the love she shared with Colby.

“I know, I know,” Rowdy said with a weak smile. “Too little, too late. Well, I want to wish you and Carlton the very best.”

“Colby,” Valerie and Norah reminded him, and all three burst out laughing.

 

“You're home earlier than I expected,” David Bloomfield said when Norah walked into the house an hour later. He was standing in the doorway of his den, dressed in flannel robe and slippers. A magazine lay on the arm of his favorite chair. “I was just going to make myself a cup of hot chocolate. Care to join me?”

“Sure.” She trailed her father into the kitchen. “Where's Steffie?”

“She went out to dinner with Charles. I don't think she'll be home for a while.”

It didn't seem possible that Steffie and Charles would be married in two weeks' time.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” David asked in that deceptively casual way of his. Norah knew her father well enough to recognize his interest as more than idle curiosity. He was eager to hear the details. And tonight, Norah was just as eager to talk.

“I had dinner with Rowdy this evening. He had the meal catered.” While she was talking, Norah took a saucepan from the cupboard and set it on the stove to heat milk for their cocoa.

Her father leaned back in his chair, assuming a relaxed pose.

“Dad,” Norah said, holding the milk carton in her hand and gazing absently into space. “If you had the opportunity to travel for…a job, would you take it?”

“That depends. Where would I be traveling?”

“A long way from home—but still in this country. Texas, actually. It wouldn't be for pleasure—or not exactly. It'd be a job. Sort of.” Rowdy might claim he needed her, but Norah knew better. She'd end up twiddling her thumbs ninety percent of the time. Even if she did insist that Rowdy slow down his pace, he wasn't likely to listen to her. As far as she could see, her presence would serve no useful purpose, other than entertainment. Hadn't he said he enjoyed arguing with her?

“Am I to understand Rowdy's asked you to go with him when he leaves Orchard Valley?”

“As his private nurse,” Norah explained, pouring milk into the pan. “It'd only be for a few weeks.”

“You're not sure what you want, are you? The temptation to go with him is there, but you don't feel good about doing it. Am I right?”

Norah was a little surprised at how easily her father had identified her dilemma, but she merely shrugged in reply.

“You like Rowdy Cassidy, don't you?” her father asked.

Norah added cocoa to the warm milk and stirred briskly. “He's stubborn as a mule, and I swear I've never
known anyone more egotistical. His arrogance is beyond explaining and he—”

“But you like him.” Her father spoke again, and this time his words were a statement and not a question.

Norah's hand stilled. “I think there must be something wrong with me, Dad. Rowdy's in love with Valerie—he might as well have come right out and said it.”

“You're sure about that?”

Norah wasn't sure of anything. Not now. For one thing, it just didn't make sense that Rowdy could hold her and kiss her the way he had if he was really in love with her sister.

“Valerie came to see him…while I was there. He asked her to come and work for him again.” She turned back to the stove and resumed stirring. Her feelings about what had taken place between Rowdy and her sister hadn't sorted themselves out in her mind yet. What did his offer to Valerie really mean? Was he so desperate to have her back in his life that he was willing to ignore her marriage to Colby? A sharp pain cut through her at the thought.

“Are you sure you're not mistaking regret for love?” her father asked gently. “Rowdy and Valerie worked together for a heck of a long time. Her engagement came as a shock to him. My feeling about their last confrontation—when Val flew to Houston—was that they both said things they later regretted.”

“Valerie didn't say no, but she did ask for time to think it over. She refused to make a commitment either way.” Norah poured the steaming cocoa into mugs and carried them to the table. “But you know, I think that was
exactly what Rowdy expected from her. He was angry at first, but I had the impression it was more for show than anything.”

David chuckled, then sipped his hot chocolate. “My guess is that being thwarted by two of my girls in one evening came as something of a shock to the boy.”

Norah paused. “How'd you know I turned him down?”

David shrugged. “I just do. I'm not sure why, but I knew you had. Are you having second thoughts now?”

“And third. Earlier I was positive I'd made the right decision—and now I'm not.”

Knowing that Rowdy would be out of her life in a matter of days had given her pause. His reaction was apparently the same. He didn't need a private nurse, and if she'd accepted his generous offer, she'd only be there to provide entertainment… Norah sighed.

Her father pointed at the sapphire-and-diamond necklace. “Is that new?” he asked.

Norah's hand went to her throat and she nodded. “Rowdy gave it to me—as a bribe, I suspect. I guess I should return it to him. Actually, I'd forgotten I had it on. It's beautiful, isn't it?”

“Very. If you want my advice about the necklace, keep it. Rowdy never intended it as a bribe. He's truly grateful for everything you've done.” He swallowed the last of his chocolate and stood.

“How can you be so certain?” Norah wanted to know.

Her father hesitated, frowning slightly. “I just am.” With that, he turned and walked away.

 

When Norah arrived at the hospital late the next morning, Rowdy's bed was empty.

She walked into the room and for a moment was too stunned to move. After spending a restless night weighing the pros and cons of his offer, she felt she had to talk to him again, even if it meant visiting the hospital on her day off.

“Looking for someone?” Rowdy asked from behind her.

She whirled around to discover him sitting in a wheelchair, his leg extended and supported. “When did this happen?”

“Only a few minutes ago. Sure feels good to be out of that bed.”

Norah laughed and knew immediately what she wanted to do. “I imagine it does. Wait here. I'll be right back, I promise.” She checked in at the nurses' station, scanned Rowdy's chart and quickly returned to his room.